by Ramona
Jetmore, KS

September 1, 2000

7:30 A.M.
It’s a beautiful morning. It’s foggy and cool. We received 20 hundredths (.20) inch of rain last evening.

8:30 A.M.
Breakfast is over and the bed made. Dishes are unfinished. We are off to a late start this morning. Severe headache and insomnia plagued the two of us last night – my insomnia due to too much caffeine and his headache due to a combination of air conditioning and stress. At this time, we are going over the inventory of parts taken to the repairman for the tractor. The tractor was returned to us 8/26/00 after the cab burned up in the middle of May. It’s been a rough summer without the big tractor.

10:00 A.M.
The dishes are done and the paperwork on the tractor put away. I am finally ready to vacuum, though I must go a little easy since my back went out last Monday. Thank God it is much better, though not 100% yet.

12:00 P.M.
Well, I was called outside to help with pickup repairs. Nothing difficult, just push the brake, let off, etc. but it is time consuming. Time now to prepare lunch.

2:30 P.M.
Dinner over. We enjoyed a full meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, tossed green salad, green beans and beets. The dishes and vacuuming are done. I managed to clean the mess burned onto my stovetop while canning 54 pints of green beans and 90 pints of tomatoes earlier this week. Due to the condition of my back, I was done completely in at the end of those days without completing the cleanup. Canning doesn’t save any money to speak of, but the quality of the food is far superior. Guess I’ll pay the bills now – ours and those of the township. I do need to hurry some as we are expecting out-of-town guests this weekend. I need to make pies yet as pies and roasting ears are my part of the reunion dinner Sunday for my husband’s siblings, spouses, and parents.

4:30 P.M.
Well, I made another trip outside to push a brake pedal. The paperwork is done for the day. Guess I’ll put off making the pies until tomorrow morning. I need to plan something for supper and get cleaned up.

8:30 P.M.
Larry finally came in for the evening. I’ll serve supper. He is too tired to go visit his brother and family who are staying with their parents for the weekend. Guess I’ll not have company here after all.

10:30 P.M.
Time to turn in for the night. Larry says that on Tuesday, we will round up the cattle on the south pasture, about 233 of them, and take them to the feedyard. The grass has dried clear up and we have no feed for them here. I’ll be outside working all day that day.